Electrically operated automatic cigarette lighter-dispenser



June 6, 1967 w. D. TAYLQ 3,323,678

ELECTRICALLY OPERATED AUTOMATIC CIGARETTE LIGHTER-DISPENSER Filed March 50, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 I INVENTOR. WILLIAM 0. TAYLOR ATTORNEYS W. D. TAYLOR June 6, 1967 ELECTRICALLY OPERATED AUTOMATIC CIGARETTE LIGHTER-DISPENSER Filed March 30, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. WILLIAM ID. TAYLOR ATTORNEYS w. E). TAYLOR 323fi78 TTE LIGHTERDISPENSER June 6, 1967 ELECTRICALLY OPERATED AUTOMATIC CIGARE Filed March 30, 1966 5 Sheets-$heet 3 E 1, A l 5 IH 4 I r WILLIAM D. TAYLOR ATTORNEYS June 6, 1967 w. D. TAYLOR 3,323,673

ELECTR ICALLY OPERATED AUTOMAT 1c CIGARETTE LIGHTER-DISPENSER Filed March 50, 1.966

5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. WlLLlAM D. TAYLOR ATTORNEYS 323,6?fi. ELECTRICALLY OPERATED AUTOMATIC CIGARETTE LIGHTER-DISPENSER Filed March 30, 1966 W. D. TAYLOR June 6, 1967 5 Sheets-Sheet IGNITION ELEMENT INVENTOR. WILLIAM D. TAY LOH ATTORNEYS United States Patent C This invention relates to an improved device for automatically igniting and dispensing cigarettes. The device includes a chamber for containing a quantity of cigarettes and discharging one at a time, an ignition means for lighting a cigarette, a transport means for conveying the cigarette through the device and an electric motor drive unit for automatically and sequentially actuating the components.

Prior art lighter dispensers never have been fully satisfactory because of a tendency for the mechanisms to jam. Jamming occurs in some devices due to unreliable mechanism, and in others due to inadequate design compensation for defective cigarettes. Since cigarettes are fragile and are generally subject to rough handling, it is almost a certainty that some cigarettes ultimately placed into a dispenser chamber, will have been partially bent, torn, or otherwise deformed. S'uch cigarettes fail to move through the mechanism freely or else burn improperly such that the apparatus operation becomes interrupted or completely arreste Another undesirable feature in prior art devices is having the ignition means deeply enclosed within the dispenser casing. Malfunction often results in this internal area for the following reasons: burning characteristics of cigarette tobacco produce a tendency for the lit end of the cigarette to adhere to the ignition element during the ignition phase; also ashes and tobacco particles acuinulate in and near the element and interfere with proper ignition. Due to the inaccessibility of this area, corrective attention and normal cleaning are unfeasible. it was logical for earlier designers to isolate this combustion phase from danger to the smoker or interference by him; however, the result was unreliable overall operation. Two impressive but also unreliable sub-assernblies of some prior art devices are (a) a hopper floor comprising sliding, tilting plates for metered release of cigarettes to the ignition means and (b) a transversely moving carriage whereby a cigarette is grasped by jaws, carried to the ignition means, and subsequently ejected. The structure and drive means for these sub-assemblies have the disadvantage of being necessarily complex and expensive. Also such mechanisms have a tendency to jam when defective cigarettes occur.

In the present invention are numerous structural innovations and functional improvements or related de vices in the prior art. Broadly stated my invention a device for igniting and dispensing cigarettes automatically and sequentially. The device includes a chassis, a hopper mounted on the chassis and having a storage chamber for cigarettes, and an electric ignition means for igniting one end of a cigarette. Means are provided for transporting one cigarette at a time from the hopper to the ignition means and thereafter to be discharged from the dispenser. Also mounted on the chassis is a drive unit comprising an electric motor which drives a cam shaft having thereon first cam means for actuating the transport means and second cam means for actuating the ignition means. An electric circuit is provided for energizing the motor and ignition from a source of power; the circuit includes a first switch for starting the motor and a second switch for the ignition means. Once the first switch is closed, the motor is started, driving the cam means which automatically and sequentially actuate the transport means, the ignition means, and the circuits, until a lit cigarette is discharged from the dispenser.

in one embodin'lent a gravity feed system is used whereby each cigarette'falls downward during the series of phases beginning with a drop through the hopper throat to its base. A pusher bar gently pushes this cigarette from the base to tall to the ignition position where holding elements catch and support it. Following ignition, these elements release the lit cigarette to fall further to a dispensing area. When more than one cigarette falls to the throat or discharge opening of the hopper, a spring-biased gate gently pushes excess cigarettes back into the chamher without damage to a cigarette or disruption of the passage of the proper cigarette.

Simplicity is the basis of this new device which is completely reliable, yet simple and inexpensive. The total number of components has been reduced to a minimum; the manner of operation is automatic while remaining uncomplicated. This gravity feed system combined with the transport and ignition mechanism efliciently conveys each cigarette, while eliminating typical force-feed systems, clamping elements, and other internal units where jamming of defective cigarettes occurs. Holding elements maintain the cigarette in an inclined position which aids in ignition and in disengagement of cigarettes from the ignition element at the time of final delivery of the lit cigarette.

in the accompanying drawings a preferred embodiment of this invention is shown.

FIGURE 1 is an exploded perspective view of the automatic cigarette lighter-dispenser;

FIGURE 2 is an exploded perspective view of the means for transporting a cigarette through the device;

FIGURE 3 is an exploded perspective View of the details of the transport means of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a side sectional view showing movement of a cigarette through the hopper;

FIGURE 5 is a view like FlGURE 4, showing transport of a cigarette from the hopper to the ignition means;

FEGURE 6 is a view like FIGURE 4, showing movement of a cigarette from ignition to dispensing means;

FIGURE 7 is a front elevation partially broken away showing a cigarette in ignition position; and

FlG-URE 8 is an electrical circuit diagram for the device.

The automatic cigarette lighter dispenser as shown in FIGURE 1 comprises the principal mechanism It on a chassis 2, with hopper 3, into which a load of cigarettes is placed, a platform onto which one cigarette is released from the hopper, and a cam driven bar which pushes the released cigarette off the platform to an ignition position where pins '5 and (it: support the cigarette with one end thereof in contact with ignition element 7 for a period of time. This element 7 is energized to ignite the cigarette and subsequently the pins are retracted such that the lit cigarette continues to fall into delivery tray 8 where it can be removed by the smoker. Below the hopper is an electric motor drive unit 9 engaged to cams which automatically and sequentially cause a cigarette to be conveyed through the various stages described above. In this embodiment a housing ill is provided which encloses assembly 1 and also has rail mounts ii for a sliding attachment to another structure such as an automobile dashboard. At tie front of the housing, slightly above the delivery tray is a strike bar 12, which when struck or pressed momentarily, closes an electrical circuit Whereby the automatic c garette lighting and dispensing cycle is begun. The hop er as shown in FIGURE 2 comprises side walls 21, an inclined floor 2, a front gate 23, pivotable on hinge 24-, a battle plate 25, pivotable on the same cigarette remains until retrieved by a smoker. disengagement of the cigarette from clement hinge, bafiie lever 2s, which pivots and engages its finger portion 27 against bafiie plate extension 23 can. the baflle to periodically pivot. Spring 2.9 urges gate 23 to remain closed or return to a closed position when forced open.

At the bottom of the hop-per is the throat or exit outlet 30 having dimensions large enough for only one cigarette at a time to be released.

In FIGURES 4, and 6, the hopper is shown in cross section and the steps are indicated whe-cby a cigarette is released from the hopper and conveyed throu h the mechanism during the automatic ignition and d ensing sequence. In FIGURE 4, it can be seen that a layer of cigarettes forms naturally on the floor with the remaining cigarettes forming a pile above layerv The position of battle 225 with its edge extending into the chamber prevents cigarettes other than those on the bottom layer from moving toward the throat area Throat is wide enough so that only a single cigarette may be released to fall onto platform 4 where lip 32 restrains the cigarette from falling further until the proper time. Push-bar 5 is seen aligned with cigarettes on the platform and ready to push it past lip Sit to fall down to the ignition position. In contact with bar 5 is rod 33 driven by transport cam 34 with spr g urging rod to remain in contact wtih the cam at all times. in FEGURE 5, it can be seen that earn 3 3 rotates counterclockwise urging rod 33 and bar 5 to move slowly, laterally to the left and, consequently, to push cigarette A off the platform. Bar 5 passes below cigarette B thus preventing B or other cigarettes from falling at this time and simultaneously be 5 engages baffle lever 26. The lever pivots about portion 2"), contacting bafiie plate 25 at 28 and urging it to pivot upwards against cigarette C. Movement of the baffle joggles the pile of cigarettes and minimizes the possibility of a log jam.

As seen in PlG-URES 5 and 7 when cigarette A is pushed from platform t it falls and lands on ignition holding elements or pins 6 and on with the lower end of the cigarette in contact with ign' n element 7 for a predetermined time period. Electric resistance coils of the element are energized and become heated so that ignition of one end of the cigarette occurs. It can be seen in FlGURiES 5 and 6 that pin elements s and s are the ends of one continuous wire having a body portion with a portion thereof formed into a cam follower 37. FlGURE 6 shows continued rotation of cam in a counter-cloclovise direc tion. Cam driving surface urges wire as and the end pins 6 and tm thereof to move laterally to the right and thereby to retract under the platform 4 at 39. Consequently, with support pins removed following i tion, the lit cigarette A falls downward, landing on the delivery tray 8 at the upper part 40, and rolls to lip 431. where the To insure 7 after ignition, a joggling effect is provided; the end of pin 6:: (shown) or pin 6 may be bent upward or otherwise mcdi fied to deflect the cigarette during withdrawal of the pins.

Referring again to the hopper of PlGURE 4, gate 23 is urged by spring 29 (see PlGUPE 2) to remain in a closed and vertical position such that tiroat 3t? retains its narrow dimensions. in the event that more than one cigarette fails to or toward platform Al, the sp -biased gate 23 will urge the excess cigarettes backward :ito the main chamber thus preventing an actual double drop of cigarettes and possibility of jamming. it should be noted that the incline of hopper door 22- is such that a gravity force gently urges the ci' rettes to roll to the throat of the hopper. The combination of this mild incline, the slow moving push bar, the joggling action of the bafllc plate, and the spring force of the piovtable front gate perm t a controlled movement of cigarettes Without the possib l ty of jamming an irregular or deformed cigarette as often occurs with the swift or forcing operation in most prior .art devices. In FIGURE 5, it can also be seen that gate 4 23 has extending portion 2.3a. Cigarette A, while being vertically supported by pins 6 and 6a, is temporarily housed in part by wall 23a so that the cigarette cannot move forward and fall off the pins unless and until the are retracted by the mechanism.

The drive unit as a separable assembly is seen in an exploded view in FiGUREQ 2 and 3. The heart of the unit is a permanent-magnet direct current motor 46 mounted by clip ll and bracket 42 which are attached to chassis 2. The output torque of the motor shaft is converted through two gear reduction units 43 and 44 to chive cam shaft 45. On this shaft are mounted cams having driving surfaces for the push bar of the transport means, the holding pins of the ignition means, and timing cams to and 4-7 which actuate switches 48 and 49 of the electric circuit of the mechanism. it should be noted that cam 3-;- has driving surface 38 which alternately drives two separate and independent followers, namely rod 33 and wire 37. This is one more example of the achievement of simplicity and compactness which makes this invention novel and highly reliable.

The electric circuit X of the device is shown in FIG- T3 8 with switches and 49, also clearly seen in FIGURE 2. Circuit X includes the motor 66 and two contact points of switch 48 actuated by lower surface 50 of cam 4-6. One complete revolution of the cam shaft and cums thereon corresponds to one complete cycle of cigarctte transport, ignition, and dispensing components. As seen, cam 46 has high portion 51 which causes switch 48 to include the ignition element in a circuit parallel to the motor during the ignition period. Thus, the motor and cam shaft continue to rotate functioning as a timing mechanism during ignition while the cigarette is held at rest. A secondary circuit Y includes resistance R and switch actuated by cam 47. By this circuit the resistance is inserted in series with the motor to thereby reduce the voltage across the motor and consequently, reduce motor speed; cam 47 is oriented with respect to switching cam 46, to time this speed reduction to occur during the period of cigarette ignition. A particular benefit resulting from the insertion of resistance R is that when the electricity source is weak the reduced motor speed provides an extended ignition period. Thus, lower voltage across the ignition element is compensated by longer ignition time and a properly lit cigarette still results. On cam 46 is V groove 52,; when this cam rotates such that the V groove is directly adjacent switch 48, the contact elements separate, opening the circuit, thus comting the cycle and stopping all operation of the mechanism. A second auxiliary circuit Z includes the same "rotor as and a push button or other momentary contact switch. In this preferred embodiment the push button switch is actuated by a strike bar 12, seen in FIGURE 1, and momenu y pressure or force against the strike bar closes the cir .iit to start the motor running. After running for a few moments the motor has caused earn 46 to rotate enough to close the primary circuit X such that releise of the strike bar and push button opening that secondary circuit will have no effect on continued operation of the motor which is now controlled by circuit X. Also for convenience and attractiveness a light may be included in the primary circuit, tie light being lit during operation of the motor and illuminating a window in the front of the housing. The absence of illumination would be a signal to the operator that a malfunction exists. Below the ch sis a connector may be attached into which the various circuit wires converge and are connected. ft hen the assembled mechanism is slidingly installed into an automobile dashboard or otherwise no additional wirin or connections are necessary because a mating connecror may be installed in the supporting structure. The ition element may be a small heat resistant plate memhaving resistance wire wound around its forming a ll for contact with a cigarette. Preferably the major structural components are formed of a rigid metallic material, the hopper of a lightweight plastic and the cams of electrically non-conductive material so they do not interfere with electric circuit during engagement with the switch contacts.

I claim:

1. An automatic cigarette dispenser and igniter comprising in combination:

(a) a chassis,

(b) a cigarette storage hopper mounted on said chassis including a chamber for containing cigarettes,

(c) an electric ignition means mounted on said chassis for igniting one end of a cigarette,

(d) means for transporting a cigarette from said hopper to said ignition means and thereafter to be discharged from said dispenser,

(e) a drive unit mounted on said chassis for operating said dispenser comprising:

(1) an electric drive motor,

(2) a cam shaft driven by said motor and having first and second cam means thereon,

(f) electric circuit means for energizing said motor and said ignition means from a source of power, said circuit means comprising a first switch in circuit with said motor for starting the latter, a second switch in circuit with said ignition means,

said first cam means operatively connected to said transport means to actuate the latter,

and said second cam means operatively connected to said second switch means for energizing said ignition means.

2. A cigarette dispenser and igniter according to claim 1 wherein said chamber includes a lower portion defining a throat through which a cigarette may fall due to gravity, and a base below said throat for receiving and supporting said cigarette, and said transport means includes a laterally moving element which pushes said cigarette off said base to move to said ignition means.

3. A cigarette dispenser and igniter according to claim 1 wherein said chamber includes a downward sloping lower plate to induce gravity feed of cigarettes to said transport means.

4. An automatic device for ignition and dispensing of cigarettes comprising:

(a) a chassis,

(b) a hopper which is mounted on said chassis and includes (1) a chamber for containing cigarettes,

(2) a throat in the bottom portion of said chamber through which a cigarette is dispensed by a gravity feed, and

(3) a base below said throat upon which a dispensed cigarette rests after falling from said throat,

(c) a transport means mounted on said chassis and comprising:

(1) a cam-driven push-bar which cyclically moves laterally across said base and pushes said cigarette to an ignition means, and

(2) a holding element for releasably maintaining said cigarette'with one end thereof in contact with said ignition means,

((1) an ignition means mounted on said chassis and comprising an electric resistance element which is cyclically energized to ignite a cigarette,

(e) a drive unit mounted on said chassis comprising an electric motor and a cam shaft driven by said motor and having thereon:

( 1) transport cam means for actuating said pushbar and said holding element, and

(2) timing cam means for actuating said ignition means, and

(f) an electric circuit means for energizing said motor and said ignition element from a source of power, said circuit means comprising a first switch in circuit with said motor for starting the latter, and a second switch in circuit with said ignition means and motor means.

5. A device according to claim 4 wherein said chamber throat has dimensions to permit discharge of only one cigarette at a time, said throat being an opening defined by the floor and front wall of said hopper, and said wall being a spring-biased pivotable gate which tends to remain closed and to push cigarettes back into the chamber when more than one cigarette falls at once into said throat.

6. A device according to claim 4 wherein said hopper includes (a) a baffle plate pivotally mounted generally above said throat, said baffle having one edge extending into said chamber to guide a pile of cigarettes approaching said throat into a layer to minimize any tendency for more than one cigarette to approach said throat at once and jam, and (b) a lever mounted on said hopper, actuated by said push-bar, and cyclically urging said bafile to pivot upwardly to joggle and guide said pile of cigarettes.

7. A device according to claim 4 wherein said drive unit includes push-bar and holding element cam followers, and said transport cam means defines a single cam surface alternately actuating said push-bar and said holding element.

8. A device according to claim 4 wherein said timing cam means actuates said second switch first to operate said motor and alternatively to simultaneously operate said motor and ignition element.

9. A device according to claim 1 wherein said circuit also includes a resistance element and a third switch for cyclically inserting said resistance in series with said motor to reduce the speed of said motor, and a timing cam on said cam shaft for closing said third switch generally during the period said ignition element is operating.

10. A device according to claim 4 wherein said motorstarting switch is a momentary contact switch mounted on said chassis the closing of which initially starts said motor which drives said first timing cam and closes said second switch and circuit thereof for continued operation of said device.

11. A device according to claim 4 wherein said holding element of said transport means comprises two ends of a stiff formed Wire, a portion of the body of said wire being the holding element cam follower, and said element temporarily holding said cigarette in an inclined position with the lower end of the cigarette in contact with said ignition element.

12. A device according to claim 4 wherein said chassis has mounting means for attachment to an automobile interior.

13. A device according to claim 4 wherein said drive unit comprises an electric motor, reduction gears driven by said motor, a cam shaft driven by said gears, said cam shaft having mounted thereon said transport and timing cams.

14. A device according to claim 11 wherein said transport means includes means to joggle and disengage said cigarette from said ignition element after one end of said cigarette is ignited.

15. A device according to claim 14 wherein the ends of said wire holding element comprise supporting pins positioned below a cigarette and withdrawable to release same, the end of at least one pin being bent upward to provide said joggling effect during said withdrawal.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,028,787 1/1936 Lane 221-147 2,108,376 2/1938 Copeland 221-147 2,419,458 4/1947 Mayer 221-147 WALTER SOBIN, Primary Examiner. 

1. AN AUTOMATIC CIGARETTE DISPENSER AND IGNITER COMPRISING IN COMBINATION: (A) A CHASSIS, (B) A CIGARETTE STORAGE HOPPER MOUNTED ON SAID CHASSIS INCLUDING A CHAMBER FOR CONTAINING CIGARETTES, (C) AN ELECTRIC IGNITION MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID CHASSIS FOR IGNITING ONE END OF A CIGARETTE, (D) MEANS FOR TRANSPORTING A CIGARETTE FROM SAID HOPPER TO SAID IGNITION MEANS AND THEREAFTER TO BE DISCHARGED FROM SAID DISPENSER, (E) A DRIVE UNIT MOUNTED ON SAID CHASSIS FOR OPERATING SAID DISPENSER COMPRISING: (1) AN ELECTRIC DRIVE MOTOR, (2) A CAM SHAFT DRIVEN BY SAID MOTOR AND HAVING FIRST AND SECOND CAM MEANS THEREON, (F) ELECTRIC CIRCUIT MEANS FOR ENERGIZING SAID MOTOR AND SAID IGNITION MEANS FROM A SOURCE OF POWER, SAID CIRCUIT MEANS COMPRISING A FIRST SWITCH IN CIRCUIT WITH SAID MOTOR FOR STARTING THE LATTER, A SECOND SWITCH IN CIRCUIT WITH SAID IGNITION MEANS, SAID FIRST CAM MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID TRANSPORT MEANS TO ACTUATE THE LATTER, AND SAID SECOND CAM MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID SECOND SWITCH MEANS FOR ENERGIZING SAID IGNITION MEANS. 